Experts revise peanut advice

Food safety experts have revised their guidance on eating peanuts during pregnancy in light of new scientific evidence.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recommended that the government advice on avoiding peanuts during pregnancy, breastfeeding and early life be altered.

Following a review of new evidence by the FSA's Committee on Toxicity (COT), the agency has said that there is no evidence to support the current advice.

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'In the meantime, for high-risk groups there is no need for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have children aged under three to change their diets,' the FSA's website advises.

'Where there is a family history of allergy, parents might want to discuss their individual case with their GP or health professional if they are concerned.'

A Department of Health spokesman confirmed that the government is awaiting formal advice from the FSA board before deciding whether to revise current policy.

The news follows claims that fears over nut allergies are creating unnecessary 'hysteria' among parents.

Professor Nicholas Christakis, from Harvard Medical School, wrote in the British Medical Journal that society was 'grossly over-reacting' to the dangers of peanut allergies, which affect around two per cent of children in Britain.

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